Tamar Energy Community

Tamar Energy Community

Tamar Energy Community

Tamar Energy Community

Tamar Energy Community

Tamar Energy Community (TEC) is delighted to have won South West Best Community Energy Initiative in the face of stiff competition at the Regen Green Energy Awards Dinner in November. This was awarded for our achievement in delivering the Community Solar Initiative with a community investment of £350,000. Community owned energy projects won three of the six awards demonstrating its growing importance in the UK. Kate Royston, a TEC director and energy advisor said: “We’re absolutely delighted that all our hard work together over the last couple of years has enabled us to win this award and we appreciate the recognition.” In early 2018 we’re launching our community share offer to increase local ownership in the initiative for a fair rate of return. If you’d like to register your interest please get in touch.

Tamar Energy Fest was well attended in October and we received very positive comments. Our speakers and exhibitors were on hand to show how the energy market is changing, and becoming more decentralised. Go to www.tamarenergycommunity.com to find out more. We also have a new logo which has been designed by Zak Kingwell, a student from Exeter College of Art, and customised based on feedback from our volunteers.

We now offer a range of competitively priced LED light bulbs, which can help you save about 90% on your lighting electricity costs a year compared with tungsten bulbs, and significant savings against halogen bulbs. LEDs are also cheaper to run than low energy bulbs. Call in to Local Matters, try out our light box and see for yourself.

Damp and condensation are significant problems in West Devon, causing black mould which is unsightly and bad for your health. If your home has a damp problem check for issues with the plumbing, exterior walls and roof. If condensation is the problem, the following actions could help but if you’re concerned about damp please get in touch for advice:

• Reducing the amount of moisture produced e.g. avoid drying clothes in the house

• Improving ventilation e.g. opening the windows from time to time

• Making sure bathrooms and kitchens have an extractor

• Increasing the heating to increase the temperature of the cold surfaces

• Insulating your home to keep more heat in and warm up cold surfaces

Our Energy Advice Service is expanding in 2018 with three local energy advisors joining our team: David Twine, Kevin Eadie and Libby Cameron. Get in touch if you’d like advice about energy switching, energy bills, energy efficiency or heating systems and controls (or lack of them) in the home or at work. We run regular energy clinics at Abbey Surgery and Tavistock Library, and offer a home energy visit service free to many people within the community.

We’re looking forward to developing Tamar Energy Community further as a thriving social enterprise - if you’d like to support us and become part of the community energy movement join us as a member for £1, register interest in the share offer and/or volunteer with TEC. Opportunities include working as an energy advisor, helping develop new renewable projects or helping out with admin. We also welcome prospective board members.

Tamar Energy Community is based in Local Matters, Elbow Lane, Tavistock, open 6 days a week 11:00 to 13:00 or by appointment - drop-in or contact us on 0800-233-5414 or hello@tamarenergycommunity.com and please ‘Like Us’ on Facebook